Modern Plus Sampler QAL

Here are the last blocks for the Modern Plus Sampler QAL, hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms.  I highly recommend the book Modern Plus Sign Quilts (Canadians can purchase at Chapters Indigo).

February's instructions will be piecing all the blocks together into a quilt top.

This is the 14-inch Kaleidoscope block.  The colours didn't come through well, but that's Kona Tiger Lily and Saffron.

And Faceted Rings is another 14-inch block.

I can't wait to get all the blocks pieced together.

Wire Flower Sew Along

My January OMG goal was to piece all my blocks for the Wire Flower Sew Along hosted by Karen Lewis Textiles.  You can purchase the Wire Flower pattern here.

I made nine blocks -- eight to swap and one to keep.

The first two took me a long time to make.  But then I had a feel for the pattern and was able to make each one in about an hour.

I had fun searching my stash to find colours to match everyone's preferences.

And here are all nine blocks together.  In case you didn't figure it out, the last orange one is mine.  😊

I can't wait to start receiving blocks in the mail.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Project Quilting 10.2 - Red, White, and Blue

It's time to show my second project for Project Quilting -- an annual challenge hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams.  The second theme was Red, White, and Blue.

I recently watched a video by Nicole Neblett @ Mama Love Quilts on big freezer paper quilt making.  First, you draw a design.  I decided on 20 inches -- I didn't want to go too big for my first attempt.

Then you transfer and enlarge the design onto freezer paper, cutting out each of the sections.

Iron the freezer paper onto your fabric and sew them together.  Similar to paper piecing, but you don't sew through the freezer paper -- you add a quarter-inch seam allowance when you cut out the fabric pieces.

You have to remember that the design will be reversed.  I had a bit of trouble lining up my pieces, so I had a few uneven edges.

I enjoyed this new technique, and I'll definitely try it again.  I quilted with my walking foot in a variety of thread colours:  red, blue, and white.

I used the following Kona colours:  Blueprint, Lipstick, Stratospher, Ruby, Pimento, Royal, Flame, and Bleached White.  I used Lipstick for the binding.

TGIFF - Have a Jolly Little Christmas

On New Year's Eve, I finally got around to piecing my blocks for the Have a Jolly Little Christmas QAL hosted by Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts back in 2017.  I shared my progress here.

I did an all-over loop motif in gray thread.  I've been wanting to be more creative in my quilting, but the priority is getting stuff finished...and hopefully out the door.

The gray blended in with some of the colours, but I love the texture.

So I guess I'm already for Christmas 2019 -- 11 months early.  LOL

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She

Hand Pieced QAL

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts is co-hosting Hand Pieced QAL with Kristin @ Simple Handmade Everyday.

The first block was announced on Monday -- a 4-patch.  I watched the videos and jumped right in.

And then there was a 16-patch!  The pieces were 2-inches unfinished, for an unfinished 6.5-inch block.

Look at my beautifully spun seams on the back.  😊  I am surprised at how much I enjoyed piecing this block.

I'm using Kona White and Michael Miller Hash Dot in Red, Rose, Orange, Yellow, Meadow, Aqua, Marine, Periwinkle, and Blue.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

WIP Wednesday - Blooming Wallflowers QAL

Did you see that Christa @ Christa Quilts is hosting a Blooming Wallflowers QAL?  I've been drooling over this pattern since she first shared it on Instgram back in the fall.  But I didn't buy the pattern because I have far toooooooooooo many projects and patterns...and then she announced a QAL.  Sign. Me. Up!!!

The QAL started last week with the cutting instructions.  You can use the templates in the pattern or use a Tri Recs ruler.  I bought the ruler last year for a project I saw online, but now can't remember which one.  LOL

I just discovered that you can use the second part of the ruler (for the side triangles) to make HRTs.  I've been wanting to try HRTs but have been avoiding them because I thought they were a little tricky.   I found this tutorial, and I'm going to give it a try.

You don't always need a specialty ruler, but to me, the cost is worth it.  There's no thinking involved, but I love the notched edges to help you match up pieces.  I need all the help I can to ensure accurate piecing.

The colours for my triangles are actually a lot brighter than they appear in this photo.

These are the low volume triangles.

And blue for the background.

We'll get the next set of instructions on Friday, so stay tuned for more exciting photos once I start piecing the blocks.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Freefall Finish

I recently shared my (late) progress on the Freefall Spring QAL hosted by Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon.  I was able to finish the quilt top over three days at the end of December -- here, here, and here.

And now it's finally finished!!  Just under the two-year old mark.  Whew.  And it was a dreary, gray day, which doesn't work well for decent photos.

Just a quick all-over stipple in variegated thread for a quick finish.

And in my efforts to reduce my scraps, I used the leftover fabric to piece the backing.

This is my first finish of my Finish Along Q1 goals.

If you have a finish this week, consider sharing it at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She

WIP Wednesday - Temperature Quilt

I've been wanting to make a temperature quilt for a few years, but I never actually put action into my thoughts.  Until now.  I've been following the quilt Patty @ Elm Street Quilts has been making, and she shared a tutorial.

I'm going to use 1-inch hexies.  I've decided to record the temperature at 12:00 noon each day, and these are the Kona colours I'm going to use.

-16 and colder - Storm
**We generally don't have temperatures this cold (unless you consider the windchill factor).

-15 to -13 - Nightfall

-12 to -10 - Marine

-9 to -7 - Regatta

-6 to -4 - Copen

-3 to -1 - Candy Blue

0 - Cloud

1 to 3 - Lemon

4 to 6 - Citrus

7 to 9 - Sunny

10 to 12 - School Bus

13 to 15 - Torch

16 to 18 - Tangerine

19 to 21 - Flame

22 to 24 - Tomato

25 to 27 - Cardinal

28 to 30 - Rich Red

31 and above - Crimson
**Generally we don't have temperatures over 30.

It took a few drafts to get the colours right.  Thanks to Dena @ No Frickin' Blog Yet (get a blog already!!) for her suggestions.

I've been recording temperatures all month.  At the end of the month, I'll start making the hexies.  I think I'll make hexies on a weekly (or maybe biweekly basis), and then piece them together at the end of each month.

I thought I'd use EPP so I could have a little project to work on when I don't feel like sitting at my machine, or if I'm out and about with time to pass.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Finish Along 2019 - Q1 Goals

It's time to set goals for Q1 for Finish Along 2019.

I'm trying to get some old projects completed, so here's my list.

1.  Freefall Spring QAL - needs to be quilted.

2.  Classic Meets Modern QAL - needs to be quilted.

3.  Triangle EPP Project - I've decided on how to finish the edges, and then it needs to be quilted.

4.  Modern Plus Sampler QAL - finish piecing blocks and piece quilt top.

5.  Yin and Yang Quilts - piece the blocks for the second quilt and quilt both quilts.

Are you playing along with FAL 2019?  Or are you all caught up on all your projects?  😊

Project Quilting 10.1 - Hope Springs Eternal

Project Quilting is an annual challenge hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams.  The first theme is Hope Springs Eternal.  I struggled for a few days trying to come up with an idea.  I kept thinking about new flowers growing, wishing well, etc.

After playing around on the computer, I finally decided on the dove from Noah's ark.  Noah had hope (and faith) that God would save them and that they would find land.  I ran out of time, so my piece is very simple -- the dove and the corner of Noah's Ark.

 The dove returned with an olive branch, evidence of land.

I was having trouble with my machine, so organic wavy lines instead of waves and clouds.

This piece finishes at 13 x 18 inches and uses Kona White, Chocolate, Black, and Holly.

I used the Crafted Applique method created by Lara @ Buzz in Bumble.

Are you playing along with Project Quilting this season?